A month had slipped by, and with it, the cold began to settle into the every small town, and cities within the territory.
At first, Stephen wanted to reconstruct the houses to provide more warmth and protect the people from the Snow Hurricane. But since he lacked many materials, as well as the time that would take to rebuild the houses.
Stephen decided to put on hold the reconstruction of houses and focused on other aspects.
As the harsh winds of winter approached, the citizens busily stocked their homes with ample firewood, ensuring they could keep warm through the freezing nights.
The Pearl Millets, a staple grain, had flourished and was now ready for harvest, providing much-needed sustenance as the days grew colder.
In response to this bounty, Stephen organized the distribution of barrels filled with the freshly harvested Pearl Millets, sending them to various cities and smaller towns scattered throughout the territory.
While Stephen had prioritized ensuring that the outlying areas received their supplies first, the main city still awaited its turn for the influx of resources.
"All the cities and small towns have been adequately supplied with water, Pearl Millets, and warm clothing for the winter, my lord," Tristan reported, his expression reflecting a sense of accomplishment.
"Good," Stephen replied with a nod of approval. "After this month, guide the workers back to their homes so they can spend the rest of the winter with their families." He entrusted Tristan with this task, knowing that the well-being of his people relied on their ability to rest and recuperate.
As the days turned into weeks, the townspeople dutifully prepared for the harsh winter ahead, securing their homes and stocking up on essentials.
Slowly, the sun became shrouded by thick, dark clouds, signaling the official onset of winter.
Stephen, too, felt the chill and donned extra layers of clothing to stay warm as he ensured his servants in the mansion could also return home to their families during this difficult time.
---
Three long months passed, and the unforgiving grip of winter finally began to loosen.
With the arrival of spring, Stephen had taken the time to develop numerous plans aimed at revitalizing the territory.
He knew he had to focus on housing and rebuilding the economy, especially since he had not collected any taxes over the previous year.
"Good morning, my lord! What a lovely day it is," Tristan greeted as he entered Stephen's office, a cheerful expression on his face.
"It is indeed," Stephen replied. "With winter behind us, it's time to commence our first step, and that is Agricultural Rejuvenation."
The drought that had plagued the land was now a thing of the past, luckily just as winter had finished, the drought had also left.
Stephen had meticulously crafted a list of suitable crops for each season. He included three types of vegetables and three varieties of fruits to ensure a diverse harvest.
"Tristan, I have a task for you this time," he declared, handing over the document, containing the plans regarding the Agricultural Rejuvenation.
"Yes, my lord," Tristan responded eagerly.
Stephen sent Tristan to the northeastern territory, equipped with an assortment of seeds and a cart to facilitate his journey.
As Tristan prepared to depart, he hesitated before asking, "May I perhaps bring my wife and daughter, my lord?"
Stephen saw no issue with this request and granted him permission. Afterward, Tristan left to make the necessary arrangements, while Emeric, the chamberlain, entered the office with a sense of urgency.
"Emeric, I have a task for you," Stephen said, placing a document on the table in front of him. "Please deliver this to Manuel, tell him to produce at least fifty of these items with the help of his assistants. Additionally, I need you to procure these ingredients from Marquis Lafaille's territory."
Emeric bowed respectfully before leaving to complete the task. "I will do so my lord."
Stephen then summoned Shibal into his office, eager to discuss the next steps for the territory.
"Good morning, my lord," Shibal greeted, bowing his head.
"Shibal, I have an important task for you," Stephen began, a smile forming as he outlined his vision. "The underwater lake you discovered has proven immensely beneficial for us. Therefore, I want you and the remaining Saharans to lead a project for me."
"What may it be, my lord?" Shibal inquired, curiosity evident in his expression.
"Water distribution," Stephen replied earnestly. "I want you and your people to oversee the distribution of water throughout the city. Additionally, I need you to travel to the other cities in the territory. Just because the drought is over doesn't mean it won't return, and the people must be prepared."
He handed Shibal the blueprints, which outlined the plans for creating man-made lakes using the natural rivers. "These are the blueprints for the build," he said, trusting in Shibal's expertise.
"I will do my best, my lord," Shibal vowed, bowing his head once more before leaving to fulfill his responsibilities.
With the rejuvenation of crops set into motion, Stephen now focused on ensuring the health of his people, revitalizing commerce, and encouraging tourism.
He was determined to breathe life back into the city and make it a bustling hub once again.
To accomplish this, he knew he had to address the numerous empty shops that lined the streets, since the economy had fell, numerous merchants, and shops owned by other nobles, quickly left the territory.
As he stood in his office, Stephen felt a sense of urgency rising within him. He needed to come up with a plan to attract visitors and stimulate the local economy.
"My lord, are you going out?" a female servant asked, eyeing him curiously as he gathered his things.
"Yes, I'm not taking the carriage this time; I plan to walk around the city," Stephen replied, removing his coat and stepping outside.
As he strolled through the streets, Stephen greeted commoners along the way, soaking in the atmosphere. He decided to inspect one of the nearby stores and knocked on the door. "Excuse me?" he called out.
The door creaked open, revealing an elderly man with wide eyes, clearly startled to see the count. "M-my lord! What brings you here?" he stammered, stepping aside to allow Stephen to enter.
"May I come in?" Stephen asked.
The elderly man quickly stepped aside. "The place is still a mess…" the elderly man said, his brow furrowed with worry.
Stephen chuckled lightly, reassuring him, "It's perfectly fine." Once inside, he took a seat at a rickety table and asked, "What do you sell here?"
"Oh, we sell breakfast items, such as eggs and bread, my lord," the elderly man replied, his pride evident.
Stephen pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill, jotting down the food offerings while engaging in conversation with the elderly man.
After spending some time there, he moved on to another shop, repeating the process. It took him nearly five hours to cover just one street, realizing the need for a broader approach.
Determined to gather more information, Stephen dispatched his servants—those who could write—to survey each store, documenting everything from food items to clothing and household goods.
Later, Stephen found himself back in his office, reading a book filled with recipes and food ideas.
He contemplated establishing a cooking class to teach food stall owners how to prepare delicious meals, but he quickly realized that without visitors, all his efforts would be in vain.
Just then, a soft knock interrupted his thoughts. "Come in," he called out.
"Good afternoon, my lord. I have brought your daily paper," a female servant said, placing the paper on the table before quickly exiting.
Stephen scanned the daily paper, his brow furrowing in disappointment. The news was lackluster, offering little that could aid his plans, so he set it aside.
As he continued to read through the documents, a sudden realization struck him. "I nearly forgot," he murmured, a smile spreading across his face. A new idea blossomed in his mind.
The Count's territory, like many noble domains, had a network of shops scattered across various locations.
In Marquis Lafaille's territory, a network of twelve shops in each city.
The former count had owned these establishments, which sold a diverse array of goods. However, since the former count had not fully considered their potential, the shops fell into disrepair and disuse.
As evening descended, Stephen felt an urgency swell within him. Despite the hour, he summoned his servant and issued a decree that each family owning a deli must attend a meeting the following day, with attendance required from all family members aged thirteen to sixty.
After a long day filled with plans and preparations, Stephen retired for the night, his mind racing with excitement about the opportunities that lay ahead.
---
The next morning, twelve families gathered before Stephen, their faces a mix of curiosity and doubt.
"Good morning, everyone," Stephan began with a bright smile plastered on his face. "Today, I've called upon each of your families because we have some important training to undertake."
He gestured to the crowd with an encouraging smile. "Now, I would like each family's cook to step to the right. Those responsible for serving food and drinks should move to the left, and anyone who manages the family finances should stay in the middle."